Subtropical Storm Alberto forms; expected to soak Florida
It still remains an unorganized mess as it meanders off Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula but is expected to churn northward into the Gulf of Mexico and approach Florida this weekend.
The storm, while projected to bring heavy rainfall and flooding to areas in Florida and some Gulf Coast states both this weekend and into early next week, will not become a hurricane, according to NOAA.
“However, once over water, it should develop into an organised tropical or subtropical storm system during the weekend”.
Maximum sustained winds are near 40 miles per hour (65 km/h) with higher gusts.
The center of Alberto may hit land somewhere between Louisiana and the Florida Panhandle late Monday, but its bands of heavy rain will spread all across the Florida peninsula and into the Southeast.
Subtropical Storm Alberto remains disorganized and nearly stationary near the island of Cozumel off of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula.
As far as Friday goes, it will be warm and very muggy with the chance of scattered showers and a few storms. It’s expected to gradually strengthen over the next three days.
The Government of Cuba has issued a Tropical Storm Watch for the western Cuban province of Pinar del Rio.
While some models project Alberto’s strongest sustained winds will reach 65 miles per hour, the biggest threat for many in the northern Gulf states – including the Wiregrass area – is heavy rainfall. Subtropical storms show some, but not all, of the characteristics of a tropical storm. The heaviest rain will probably stretch across Florida, Alabama and Georgia.
The National Weather Service said a flash flood watch would be in effect from Saturday evening through Tuesday evening for southeastern MS, southwestern Alabama, and the western Florida Panhandle.
Rainfall accumulations of 4 – 8 inches are forecast across portions of the Florida Keys, and south and southwest Florida, with up to 12 inches possible in some locations.
There’s also a strong threat of rip currents from Florida to Louisiana. If Alberto jogs west of the forecast track, the area could see the chance of flooding rains increase.
The National Weather Service has put out a call for spotters in western Carolina and the Piedmont to be on watch Sunday night and Monday for large hail, damaging winds, flash flooding and even tornadoes.